Geelong-based Gartland Real Estate won The Australian Financial Review Corporate Cycling Challenge’s ­Melbourne race for the third ­successive year.

About 20 teams from companies including Aurecon, Barclays, Epworth, AIA and The Australian Financial Review signed up for the three-kilometre ride on ­Sunday up Arthurs Seat, a hill south of ­Melbourne. The riders climbed nearly 300 metres above sea level at an average gradient of 7 per cent.

Gartland teams came first and ­second in the men’s category, ­finishing in 27 minutes and ­23 seconds, and 31 minutes, eight seconds, respectively.

The fastest riders then raced against several professional riders, including Koen de Kort, Nathan Haas and Richie Porte.

Racing individually, Gartland team member Nicholas Squillari improved on his first effort to finish in 8 minutes 45 seconds. He was beaten by Porte, 8 minutes 11 seconds.

Gartland Real Estate principal Bob Gartland said the company had sponsored cycling in the Geelong region for 16 years.

“We like to bring a team and see what we can do each year," he said.

He said the opportunity to ride with some of the world’s best riders “made the event". His teams are made up of employees and other Geelong residents.